Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 134
From Video Game Morgue File
_________________________________________________________
/ \
S E G A W O R L D W E E K L Y
M A G A Z I N E
~~ Issue No. 134 May 28th 2001 ~~
Proudly sponsored by http://www.levelsix.com/
\_________________________________________________________/
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Please Support Our Sponsors Intro --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> VGA Box for $8.95 $8.95! $8.95! $8.95! $8.95!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
LevelSix has VGA Cable's (also comes with speaker output)
for just $8.95! You won't believe the quality it improves
your games by. As I found out myself, Sonic Adventure for
example is a brand new experience - Tails. You just have to
see it to believe it, and at $8.95, you have to get it!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
<<.>> Play AS MANY Games as you WANT this SUMMER!
- http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?adux+A2cvBw+sumunrenprog.html
Red Octane's summer unlimited rental program membership
entitles you to 3 months of unlimited game rentals, 3 Free
issues of Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine, and great
discounts on used games and accessories. Over 800 titles
to rent, including imports!
- http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?adux+A2cvBw+sumunrenprog.html
> Share your thoughts online now at our brand new forum:
-- http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
> Sega World Weekly is best read in the Courier New font.
For past issues see http://www.SegaWorldWeekly.com/
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Editors Comments Page 1 --
\_________________________________________________________/
Just as everyone is settling back down after their trips to
E3, I'm planning mine to America :) This summer I'll be
working in Camp USA, with kids aged 12 to 14. (and I'll
miss out on the winter here in New Zealand, excellent!)
I'll be at Camp Cedar Lake, near Milford, PA, and not all
that far from New York. But this does mean however I'm not
going to be able to write Sega World Weekly over the
summer, and for the first time in 136 issues I'll take a
rather large break. Our great staff will still be here to
keep you updated on Sega every few weeks, and they'll be
bringing you Sonic Adventure 2 and all the other hot
adventures for your Dreamcast this summer! I leave on June
the 18th, which means I should be able to just fit three or
four more issues in before then :) Then I return in the
first few days of September.
So it's all very busy here! But this weeks issue of Sega
World Weekly is full of things you have to see. Starting
with a review of the cheat device, Xploder DC, we also have
news on the Sonic Birthday Pack and special watch selling
in Europe, a new Sonic bundle in America, hot Crazy Taxi 2
review scores straight from Japan, plus details on how
the Dreamcast has sold out!
Then there's also a new page this week, Sega Downloads.
Including Sega Wallpaper, and an Internet Explorer
tool bar wallpaper!
Finally if you have any questions or letters, keep them
coming to zondaro@usa.net. Until next time then, don't
forget to check out our forum at...
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
- Graham "Camping Boy" Parker (Editor)
/\ /\
|| C O N T E N T S ||
|| ||
|| 2 - Cover Story ||
|| 3 - Websites to Visit ||
|| 4 - Weekly News ||
|| 5 - Sega Downloads ||
|| 6 - Sky Way Review ||
|| 7 - Level Six Low-down ||
|| 8 - Question & Answer ||
|| 9 - Letters ||
|| 10 - Cheats ||
|| 11 - Our Support Sites ||
|| 12 - Credits ||
\/ \/
HOT QUOTE this issue: "Celebrating Sonic's 10th birthday,
Sega have unleashed a special collectors edition of Sonic
Adventure 2."
-- Sonic Pack for Europe - Page 4
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Cover Story Page 2 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> Xploder DC Review
-- Written by Michael Monahan
This week Sega World Weekly's Michael Monahan takes
cheating to the next level as he reviews Xploder DC, the
newest cheat code device on the market today.
The way that Xploder works is pretty simple. First after
loading Xploder you are brought to the main menu. From
there you get the option to either play the game or to
enter a code, the same as in Gameshark. If you select play,
it will automatically start your game, or even an import
game without the need of a mod chip.
The other option will bring you to the cheat menu. One of
the features you will find most useful, is that after
loading Xploder and putting your game disc in, the Xploder
will automatically direct you to the cheats for that game!
That nifty little feature will save you loads of time.
Xploder DC also allows the user to enter in un encrypted
codes unlike Gameshark, and most other cheat devices. What
is so special about un encrypted codes is that they allow
for bigger changes in a game. For example in one game, the
biggest cheat is just an infinite ammunition code. But,
with an un encrypted code, you can not only have infinite
ammunition, but you can modify the size of your weapon, or
the color. As you can see bigger and better changes can be
made with using these "un encrypted codes", so using the
Xploder really has it's advantages.
On the down side, there isn't any music in Xploder, but
then to be honest it doesn't really need it. The graphics
are just made up of menus and selection screens, but it
isn't anything major. What I will touch upon however is
that Xploder is very easy to learn how to use, so you don't
need to worry about spending hours figuring things out.
All in all the Xploder DC really does stack up to it's
title as the "Ultimate Cheat Device." Acting as a advanced
cheat device, and even an import boot disc, Xploder DC is
sure to change your gaming life forever.
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Websites to Visit Page 3 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> http://www.ngtools.com/fmain.php?D=core238&A=sww
"I'm a moderator for one of the most respected videogaming
communities on the net and have personally used this system
to help buy ALL the GAMES I want! Yes! Check it out above!"
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Weekly News Page 4 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> Sonic Fans celebrate across Europe!
Celebrating Sonic's 10th birthday, Sega have unleashed a
special collectors edition of Sonic Adventure 2. Packed in
a special blue box, you receive SA2 Gold Disc, plus a gold
engraved coin starring Sonic's own face, but also a Music
CD filled with classic Sonic tunes, and finally a booklet
of the blue hedgehog's complete history. All for the same
price as buying the game on it's own. So what's the catch?
Well Sega of Japan are only selling this collectors edition
on the big day it's self, June the 23rd, and then once more
on the 24th.
This week however, Sega Europe made a surprising
announcement that they will be stocking the special Sonic
Adventure 2 birthday pack, and selling it online through
their website. The game cannot be pre-ordered, and there's
only a tiny 200 copies to go around, but if you go online
with credit card in hand at Midnight, June 23rd you might
be able to catch one of these copies.
Also from Sega Europe is a special Swatch watch, with a
transparent strap, a blue and red colored button design,
and Sonic's familiar face appearing each time you press a
button. No details on a price or release date have been
given on the watch yet, but they can't be far away now.
Sonic the Hedgehog - June 23rd 1991 to June 23rd 2001
This was talked about on the forum first -
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
<<.>> Sega Dreamcast - Sold Out!!
We all knew this was coming, as Sega lowered the price of
their Dreamcast to sell the remaining machines... but now
it's actually happened it's still something of a shock.
Sega of Japan have officially sold out of all their
Dreamcast consoles, and chances are America and Europe
aren't too far behind.
<<.>> Lets Make Some More Crazzzzzzy Money!!
When a big new title is released, all eyes turn to the
Japanese Famitsu magazine for that first and most respected
review score, and with Crazy Taxi 2, we're even more eager
to see how the sequel shaped up.
Worries of losing it's appeal being set in grey old New
York have been a major concern, but judging from the
review score, it looks like we have nothing to worry about.
Crazy Taxi 2 scored 35 out of 40, taking their Platinum
Award.
Three 9's and one 8 were given by the four reviewers at
Famitsu. There were comments that the game is very
refreshing, features larger environments, and also that is
delivers great new mini-games and gameplay additions.
While not mentioned in the review, Sega's website reveals
the original characters of Crazy Taxi are locked away
inside the game, waiting to be found. Crazy Taxi 2 is
released in America tomorrow, on the 29th of May for
$39.99.
<<.>> Get Ready for a Sonic Summer
While the Dreamcast may have sold out in Japan, Sega of
America are still keeping their last supplies moving. A
new Sonic the Hedgehog bundle has been released in stores
for $119.99, the same price as the Sega Smash Pack was.
Starting with a new box design, now including all the Sonic
characters, this bundle contains a regular Dreamcast
system, a blue colored VMU, plus Sonic Adventure, Sonic
Shuffle, and a demo of Sonic Adventure 2.
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Sega Downloads Page 5 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> Sega across your Internet Explorer Toolbars!
You can liven up your Internet Explorer 5 toolbars with
this small 171k download, giving you access to toolbar
wallpapers that also work in Outlook Express.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/webaccess/tbwlpapr.exe
But while the default wallpapers are nice, they not what a
Sega gamer should have. So here's a custom made Sega paper
(best suited for screens using 1024x768, and who
re-arrange their tool bars just a little).
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/sonic.zip
The download is just a small 80k, and should be unzipped
to your Program Files / Internet Explorer / Bitmaps folder.
Created in 2001 by Graham Parker.
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Review Page 6 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> Sky Way Gamer Playstation Emulator Review
-- Written by Graham Parker
Lots of people are disappointed to see Bleem for the
Dreamcast only supporting one game at a time, so while we
wait for more titles to come out, it's with great interest
I review a brand new Playstation emulator for the PC, as
seen at this years E3 show.
To begin with, Sky Way Gamer is developed by Softlink, and
is a professional retail emulator, packed with a free USB
Playstation style Controller.
After going through the easy install process, the system
only took up 44k on my hard drive. Unfortunately each time
you want to play Sky Way however, that means your required
to insert the CD, and then soon replace it with a
Playstation CD. It's a little annoying when testing several
games, and it's a pity there isn't an option to install the
whole system to your hard drive.
Upon loading the emulator, you're instantly greeted to an
easy to use interface in the familiar windows format. Full
support for memory cards is right there, with the option to
load and save to your hard drive. Then you can set up the
controllers for players one and two, from the keyboard, to
a keypad or your USB controller, all from one single
screen.
Also build right into the system is a chat room, which
while might seem strange in an emulator is actually a very
nice touch. Plus it has full support for your microphone
and voice chatting.
Onto the actual games though, the emulator was put through
it's paces on a variety of games, and while it's a pity
the emulator doesn't try to enhance the graphics like
Bleem for the Dreamcast, Sky Way does it's job just fine.
Perhaps in a future version we could see enhancements, or
a better resolution supported.
One game it did have trouble with however was the rare Vib
Ribbon. This is a music style game where you can take out
the game disc and put in your own Music CD. Vib Ribbon
froze on the loading screen, but after downloading several
other emulators off the internet, plus the trail version of
other retail products, all of them had the exact same
problem.
Odd titles aside, Sky Way will run Playstation games just
as well as the actual console it's self, but of course on
your computer screen and for a cheaper price. The only
real gripe you will have is the lack of options to set your
own keyboard controls, which surely wouldn't have been hard
for the developers to throw that in. But then since the
pack comes with a free Playstation style controller, you'll
only face this problem when playing with a mate.
Look out for Sky Way Gamer in stores soon, to keep you busy
until Bleem for Dreamcast can handle your favourite game
with better graphics.
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Level Six Lowdown Page 7 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> VGA Box for $8.95 $8.95! $8.95! $8.95! $8.95!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
LevelSix has VGA Cable's (also comes with speaker output)
for just $8.95! You won't believe the quality it improves
your games by. As I found out myself, Sonic Adventure for
example is a brand new experience - Tails. You just have to
see it to believe it, and at $8.95, you have to get it!
<<.>> Light Gun - Buy one for Confidential Mission!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
This small light gun is the perfect solution for tired
arms, but that doesn't mean it's small on features. Packing
a built-in rumble feature, including recoil rumble (which
can be turned on/off with a switch), Auto-fire and
Auto-reload modes, a flashing LED light and four buttons
along with the D-pad. This gun would be perfect for the
upcoming Confidential Mission!
<<.>> High Quality Maracas at a Low Price
- http://www.levelsix.com/
Wonder why you are not having much fun with Samba De Amigo
with just a hand-held controller? The answer can be found
with a set of maracas! These maracas have a longer cord
(2.6 meter) compared to the Sega brand maracas.
<<.>> PC Keyboard or Mouse on your Dreamcast?
- http://www.levelsix.com/
Forget aiming with a controller in Quake 3 Arena, now you
can use your PC mouse! The Total Control 5 lets you use a
normal scroll wheel mouse, an optical mouse, or a keyboard.
Full details on the website here, http://www.levelsix.com/
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Question and Answer Page 8 --
\_________________________________________________________/
Do you have a question for your Sega know-it-all? Simply
e-mail in your questions to Ross at zondaro@usa.net and
look for the answers soon in an issue of Sega World Weekly.
We are unable to personally reply to all emails.
You can also post your questions online, via our forum
which we all check regularly at...
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
Do you have a question for your Sega know-it-all? Simply
e-mail in your questions to Ross at zondaro@usa.net and
look for the answers soon in an issue of Sega World Weekly.
He is unable to personally reply to all emails.
Next week: More of your questions!
<<.>> I Command Thee!
Q) In last weeks issue it was said that Black & White,
while thought to be cancelled is still coming, the same
goes for Argatha. What is the Real deal? BW has been
promised from the beginning days of the Dreamcast.
Are we really going to get it without having to shell
out thousands of dollars for a high end computer?
- Travis Stafford
A) Well I never said Black and White was cancelled, that
was an editors edit that Tails did. Anyway, BW has
since been picked up by Sega and it is coming. You
have to remember that the PC version was only recently
finished. Also, PCs aren't that expensive anymore.
<<.>> Missing a couple Arms
Q) My Dreamcast's controller ports have quit working! I was
wondering if you knew where I could order a replacement
part. I found a couple of places on the net, but I'm not
sure if they are legitimate companies. Any help would be
greatly appreciated. I really don't want to have to buy
a new Dreamcast because of this. Thanks.
- Jon Hasenour
A) I would try Sega's customer support line first, but
other then that your best bet would be to buy a new
Dreamcast, because what's the point of spending more
then 30 bucks to repair a broken one when they only cost
$99 bucks? Next time stay away from those third party
controllers!
<<.>> Stop with the Kiddie Remarks
Q) What is the deal with Capcom? There were three ultra
gore Resident Evil Titles then RE-CV. Probably the best
game in the series. But where are my headshots, where
are my arms flying, half bodies crawling? With the
newest RE coming on Gamecube what are we the hardcore
RE fans suppose to do? Will "KIDTENDO" water the series
down more or will they go back to the gore we love?
- Paul
A) I'm really getting sick of people calling Nintendo
kiddie. I mean, jeez you censor one game and no one ever
lets you forget it. Grow up people! Conker's Bad Fur
Day, Eternal Darkness, Too Human, Metroid Prime! They
are not KIDDY! *cough* To answer your question, I know
there is one RE game coming to Gamecube, but I would
also hazzard a guess that there will be other RE games
coming to other systems soon. Remember Capcom has that
new "multiplatform" strategy that means games come out
for every system now.
<<.>> Dead Air Dead Web Space
Q) Ok, I'm still not too clear on why DailyRader.com shut
down, and for that matter, why the hell are IGN and
Segaweb charging for special access? Up until recently
they seemed to be doing fine. In particular, I seem to
remember Segaweb doing very well. So what the hell is
going on?!
Also out of curiosity, how do you manage to do both
Gamecube Weekly and the SWW Q&A/Letters?
- Transmetal
A) Good question. It basically works like this...
Websites make money for displaying banner ads, and
until recently they made a good sum of money. However
the slowing US economy puts a crunch on advertising
on the web. Especially once the advertisers figured
out they were paying too much. So now you have lots of
readers, but they are causing your server bills to go
up. Suddenly your website is costing you more then the
banner ads will cover. So you can close the doors or
start charging. Simple. Will charging work? Maybe, but
that's something I could go on about for paragraphs.
Time wise, doing the SWW Q&A/Letters don't take that
long to edit and answer. Gamecube Weekly takes a lot
longer to get done.
They make the questions, and I answer em. - zondaro@usa.net
Join in our forum - http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Letters of the Week Page 9 --
\_________________________________________________________/
Do you have an opinion who wish to share with all the
readers of Sega World Weekly? Simply e-mail in your
thoughts to zondaro@usa.net and look for them in an issue
of Sega World Weekly. Letters will be edited for length.
You can also post your letters and thoughts online at our
forum... http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
Hot Topic: Canadians invade Zondaro's Mailbox!
Cold Topic: Is Zondaro Just Making These Up?
<<.>> Our Forums can kick your Ass!
Hi! I just wanted to tell you that you guys have done a
good job developing the forum. I'm registered in a few
other forums and they suck! Yours is the first serious one
for gamers. I'm surprised that everyone is more and less
behaving and not out to offend others. It's a very
refreshing change. Since you have a higher quality content
here, I'm not surprised with the amount of participation
you are getting. Keep up the good work!
- Angelina Carver
[I keep trying to misbehave but no one pays any
attention to me. - Zondaro]
<<.>> Kiss up to the Editors
I don't get it. I mean I just don't get it! Sega has been
sitting on a wealth of great game history ever since the
Dreamcast was released. Gamers were begging them to release
sequels to the likes of Nights and Panzer Dragoon Saga.
Personally I'd love to see another Shinobi. What do they go
and do? After the DC has ceased production they go and
announce such titles on other formats. I mean if Nights 2
comes out on GameCube... Now I know it's true that Sega
released some absolute classics for the DC, I'm not
complaining there. However, they could have given us these
other great titles as well that would have been instance
success! Look at the PS2 for God'sake, sequel after sequel.
I'll now have to wait nearly another year for a GameCube
or X-Box to enjoy these great games. But if that's how it's
going to be, let the classics roll on!!
- Jose Garcia
[Well, if they'd released these games on Dreamcast who's
to say it would have helped? After all Sony pushed the
gaming market beyond what Sega and Nintendo ever
established in the 16bit age. How many 'gamers' actually
have heard of Shinobi or NiGHTS. How many actually
played the games? But, its nice to see someone has got
a good attitude about the future. - Zondaro]
Desperately Seeking a Squishy Gamecube! - zondaro@usa.net
Join in our forum - http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Cheats Page 10 --
\_________________________________________________________/
<<.>> Confidential Mission - Sega Dreamcast
-- Gameshark Codes:
Master Code One (must be at the top) - 9C5D88F8
Master Code Two (must be at the bottom) - 245EECA9
High Score P1 - 2D1C6FA5
000F423F
25FC6AF3
000F423F
Infinite Credits - 5875E8AD
00000008
<<.>> Crazy Taxi - Playstation 2
-- No Arrow:
Feel like more of a challenge? You can remove the
destination arrow from your screen by holding R1 and
pressing Start before the character select screen. This
means you have to know the way to each destination off by
heart. The words "No Arrows" will appear if done correctly.
-- No Drop Off Squares:
To remove those green squares surrounding the building each
passenger wants to be dropped off at, just hold down the
Start button before the character select screen. The words
"No Destination" will appear if done correctly.
-- Another Day Mode:
Another Mode starts you off in a different place, but also
has all the passengers standing in different locations as
well. Great to add variety into your taxi driving life.
To activate the cheat, just hold R1 while choosing your
character. If done correctly, the words "Another Day" will
appear.
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Support Sites Page 11 --
\_________________________________________________________/
Sega World Weekly goes out to 40,000 gamers every week, but
how did we get so many people signed up? With the help of
these websites, that's how...
<<.>> System Zero - http://system-zero.com
As game music goes well beyond the beeps and bleeps of the
past and into the soundtrack quality tracks we hear today,
Perfect Zero becomes one of THE most important sites for
game fans. Hosting hundreds of MP3s from different games,
turn up those speakers and click that link.
<<.>> DC-United - http://dc-united.com
The Premiere Dreamcast Community, DC-United.com gives you
the ability to view members online, build your own
homepage, send messages, read in-depth reviews, and much
more. DCU Network Members are also eligible for various
monthly prizes.
<<.>> The Next Level - http://www.the-nextlevel.com
The Next Level is a multi-platform gaming magazine focused
on current and upcoming next-generation systems. We provide
up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, reader reviews,
intriguing editorials, and more.
<<.>> PSY Online - http://www.consolereviews.net
PSY Online is a multiformat reviews website specialising in
the Sega Dreamcast console. With 24/7 updated news, forums
and chat, its a great place to hang out for Sega fans.
<<.>> Future Gamez - http://www.futuregamez.net
What ever console your looking for, Future Gamez have them
all. From Dreamcast to GameCube, and X-Box to Playstation
2. So get your news, reviews, previews, and more at Future
Gamez, and stay on top of all systems.
_________________________________________________________
/ \
-- Credits Page 12 --
\_________________________________________________________/
O Editor: Graham "Tails" Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
O Q&A / Letters: Ross Fisher - Zondaro@usa.net
O Staff Writer: Michael Monahan - Mikelad1@aol.com
O Staff Writer: Paulo Santos - Paulo@sega2000.net
<<.>> http://www.segaworldweekly.com/ - Our Website
<<.>> http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/ - Our Forum
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
<<.>> VGA Box for $8.95 $8.95! $8.95! $8.95! $8.95!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
LevelSix has VGA Cable's (also comes with speaker output)
for just $8.95! You won't believe the quality it improves
your games by. As I found out myself, Sonic Adventure for
example is a brand new experience - Tails. You just have to
see it to believe it, and at $8.95, you have to get it!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Copyright 1998-2001 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
No parts may be copied without prior permission or correct
credit where due. There should probably be a pile of other
legal lines here, but please just play nice and don't
steal, lol! Thanks for reading Sega World Weekly!
I wonder if I can take my Dreamcast to camp... ;)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Please note the advert below is added on by our mailing
list, it's in no way connected to Sega World Weekly...